Holder operated toilet tissue magazine and dispenser



J. M. PENA Aug. 16, 1966 HOLDER OPERATED TOILET TISSUE MAGAZINE AND DISPENSER Filed Jan. 26, 1965 Jose M. Pefia INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,266,742 HOLDER OPERATED TOILET TISSUE MAGAZHNE AND DISPENSER .llose M. Pena, 502 Ash St, Laredo, Tex., assignor of ten percent to Amulfo Garcia, Laredo, Tex., and fifteen percent to Carlos Castilion, Laredo, Tex.

Filed Jan. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 428,142 9 Claims. (Cl. 242-553) This invention relates to a vertically elongated magazine-type holder and dispenser for a plurality of rolls of toilet tissues stacked one atop the other in the storage chamber of the magazine and has to do with improved manually controllable mechanical means roll suspending, releasing and discharging means whereby upon actuating a suitably arranged and oriented trip member the lowermost roll is tripped and released to a predetermined ready-to-use position and the next above descending roll is checked and readied for use when needed.

An object of this invention is to advance the art by way of a more resourceful approach to and a feasible solution of the over-all problem. More particularly, the concept which will be hereinafter more fully revealed, pertains to the adoption and use of means which relates to and constitutes an improvement on my prior Patent 3,130,932. Experimental usage of the patented device has shown that certain of the features are such in construction and performance that they are not as satisfactory as was to be expected. It follows, without going into detail, that certain significant changes in construction and arrangement of the component parts are now being resorted to with a view toward providing a more easily operated and responsive construction. For example, the upper and lower crank arms of the turnable crankshaft unit are now, as will be hereinafter clarified, being provided with freely rotatable anti-friction sleeves or rollers which co'act with the rolls of toilet paper in such a manner that better and smoother performance is achieved.

Also, and to overcome the necessity of having to insert ones hand through the roll exi-t opening in the magazines front wall to get at the finger-grip on the lower crank arm, the trip means has been shifted to assume a more accessible position on the exterior of the front wall. Accordingly, and to the ends desired, the user will find it much more practical and convenient to actuate the crankshaft means from a point of vantage and will have little or no fault to find with this unique and responsive aspect of the improved concept.

In carrying out the principles of the above advance, it has been found that the better approach is to utilize a dual-functioning holder for the roll of paper which is in use. This is to say, the horizontal spindle serves not only to support the unwinding roll, it constitutes and provides a trip lever. Hence, when all of the paper on the roll has been used and requires replacement and use of a new roll, all that the user has to do is release the spindle and swing it in an arcuate path from right to left, whereupon the swinging motion comes into play and the lever feature takes over with the result that the aforementioned crankshaft or unit is actuated to release the new roll and check the descent of the next above roll. This inovation has proved out to well serve the purposes for which it is intended.

Then, too, the dual purpose spindle calls for a further feature; namely, novel linkage means, more particularly, a first link vertically oriented and cooperable with the hingedly mounted end of the spindle, whereby when the spindle is used as a trip lever, it rotates said link which in turn operates a second horizontal-1y oriented push-pull link. The latter in conjunction with the first link provides the motion transmitting result which is necessary to 3,266,742 Patented August 16, 1966 operate the dual purpose crankshaft. It follows that these adaptations are such that they Will appeal to and be endorsed by manufacturers, retailers and users.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like ice numeral-s refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view'in front elevation on a relatively small scale showing the improved holder operated toilet tissue magazine and dispenser in readiness for use.

FIG. 2 is a view on a larger scale and partly in section and partly in elevation and taken on the plane of the vertical section line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the indicating arrows.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section on the plane of the section line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and which shows the changed relationship of the component parts after the lowermost roll has been released and the roll thereabove checked in its downward movement in readiness for use.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective showing the essence of the invention; namely, the dual purpose crankshaft and dual purpose roll holder.

Referring now to the views of the drawing (see FIGS. 2-4) the tubular storage magazine is denoted, generally described, by the numeral 8 and comprises a generally rectangular sheet metal or equivalent structure which in practice is open at its top and bottom, the same embodying a baclcwall 10, opposed side walls 12 and 14 (FIG. 3) and an attachable and detachable front panel or wall 16 mounted and held in place by suitable fasteners 18 (FIG. 1). This front wall is provided at its upper portion with a suitable entrance opening 20 provided with a closing door 22 hingedly mounted at 24 whereby to thus provide an arrangement which permits the rolls of toilet paper or tissue to be loaded into the chamber portion 26. There is also a rectangular opening at the bottom as at 28 which is herein described as the discharge or exit opening for the rolls. As shown in FIG. 2 the unwrapped roll which is being used, that is in practice, is denoted by the letter A. The first reserve ready-to-use roll is denoted at B and the one next above it and which is adapted to gravitate into usable position when released is denoted at C.

The mechanism or mean which is utilized to achieve the improved end result desired is shown primarily speaking in FIG. 5. This means comprises a unit 28 which takes the form of a crankshaft, the vertical shaft being denoted at 30. The upper laterally bent portion 32 provides an upper crank arm which is provided with a rubber or an equivalent cushioned freely turnable friction resisting and anti-snag roller 34. The lower portion is provided with a similar lateral crank arm 36 likewise provided with a correspondingly functioning friction resisting roller or seleve 38. The extreme lower end of the shaft 30 is laterally bent at 40. The unit 28 serves a duel purpose in suspending and releasing the reserve rolls B and C in the manner which will be evident upon examining and comparing FIGS. 2 and 4. The aforementioned dual purpose roll holder and dispenser is denoted by the numeral 42. It comprises a spindle having one component portion provided at the left hand end of FIG. 5 with an integral suitably designed head 46 having hinging knuckles 48 and providing a component part of an attaching and hinging arrangement. The attaching and hinging means also includes a complemental hingle member 50 provided with knuckles 52 with which the knuckles 48 are cooperatively aligned as shown in FIG. 4. This hinge member 50 is screwed or otherwise fastened to the magazine wall as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The spindle also includes a complemental reduced member 54 which is fitted into the member 44 and which has a socket 56 in one end to accommodate \a headed retainer 58 which is employed in the manner shown in FIG. 3 and is cooperable with a stationary lug 60 which is provided therefore and projects forwardly from the front wall, the same being apertured to provide a keeper for the attachable and detachable retainer 58. Thus when in use the spindle means 42 occupies the position detailed in FIG. 3 and functions to hold the roll of paper A as shown in FIG. 2. The spindle extends across and bridges the exit opening 28 and is, of course, disposed in an accessible position on the exterior of the magazine. All of the other parts of the suspending and releasing mechanism or means (see FIG. is disposed and concealed within the confines of the chamber 26.

Novel means is employed as an operating connection between the hingedly mounted spindle means 42 and the crankshaft means 28. This means comprises linkage generally denoted by the numeral 62 (see FIG. 5) and which comprises an inverted L-shaped vertically disposed link 64 having a laterally bent upper end 66 pivotally connected at 68 to one end of a push-pull link 70, the opposite end of the link being pivotally connected at 72 to the bent end portion 40 of the shaft 30.

It will be noted that the respective means 28 and 62 respectively are located within the confines of the chamber 26 and are supported on the interior of the front panel or wall 16. This is accomplished by using a vertically disposed bearing sleeve 74 provided with attaching flanges 76 the flanges being suitably fixed to the wall 16 in the manner shown in FIGS. 2-4. The shaft 30 is journalled for oscillation in the bearing and the crank arms 32 and 36 are disposed in planes horizontally and at right angles to the vertical axis of the bearing, said arms being approximately ninety-degrees from each other. The bent end portion 40 of the shaft is directed beneath the arm 36 and the link 64 is fixed to the knuckles 48 so that movement imparted to the spindle 42 is transferred to the link 64 and then to the push-pull link 70 which, in turn, and through the medium of the bend 40 and pivot connection 72 turns the crankshaft unit 28 so that the crank arms 32 and 36 operate in proper oriented relation-ship. This is to say that when the lower crank arm 36 is in the position shown in FIGURE 2 it supports both rolls B and C and when it swings from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 the roll B gravitates and is directed by the curvate fender or chute 29 for delivery through the exit opening 28. At the same time the crank arm 32 which was previously against the interior of the front wall 16 swings through a 90 arc and engages and traps the roll C so that it is suspended in the position shown in FIG. 4. Assuming that the component parts or units 28, 42 and 62 are normally in the position shown in FIG. 3 with the roll A thereon and that the roll A has been used up it will be evident that by removing the retainer pin 58 the spindle means 42 can then be released from the lug or ear 60 and swung in a direction from right to left (FIG. 5) so that it will hinge and assume the projected or open position illustrated more particularly in FIG. 4. Consequently the spindle is not only a holder for the paper roll A it is also a trip lever which functions to operate the linkage 62 which in turn operates or actuates the crankshaft 28. When the fresh roll of paper has been applied to the spindle and the spindle is returned to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the component parts 32 and 36 of the crankshaft 28 resume the position and relationship shown in FIG. 3 whereupon the roll C then drops down to assume the position of the roll B illustrated in FIG. 2. Consequently the magazine is reset and ready to function in the manner shown and described.

It is submitted that a careful consideration of the views of the drawing, the specification describing the same and the invention as claimed will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction and arrangement and advantageous cooperation of the component parts singly and collectively. Accordingly, a more lengthy description is believed to be unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A storage type holder and dispenser for a plurality of rolls of toilet tissues stacked one atop the other comprising: a tubular magazine embodying front, back and side walls cooperating and providing a storage chamber, said front wall being removable and having a closable entrance opening at an upper end portion to permit the user to insert several rolls of toilet tissues to temporarily load said chamber, said front wall having an exit opening at its bottom, roll guiding and discharging means in the bottom portion of said chamber for delivering the lowermost roll to and through said exit opening, a bearing sleeve fixed vertically on the interior of said front wall, and manually controllable roll suspending and releasing means comprising a crankshaft embodying a vertical shaft journaled for rotation in said bearing sleeve and complemental upper and lower horizontal crank arms at the ends of said shaft and at right angles to the lengthwise axis of said shaft, said arms disposed in planes parallel to each other, each arm having a freely rotatable anti-friction roller sleeve thereon, said lower arm extending into the interior of said chamber and having a free end portion terminating adjacent and adapted to underlie a portion of the lowermost roll tangentially with respect to said roll, said upper arm being normally in a position parallel to and residing in an out-of-the-way position in contact with the interior surface of said front wall and when swung into play being adapted to assume a ready-to-function position tangential to and beneath the bottom of the roll which is next above the then released lowermost roll.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, and, in combination, a supporting spindle for the roll of tissue which is being used, said spindle being accessibly located on the exterior of said front wall and horizontally bridging said exit opening, means mounting said spindle on one of said side walls, and an operating connection between said spindle and the lower end of said shaft, whereby said spindle serves not only as a holder for the roll thereon but as trip and actuating lever for said shaft and the crank arms carried thereby.

3. The structure according to claim 2, and wherein said mounting means comprises hinging means hingedly joining an adjacent end of said spindle to said one side wall and permitting the spindle to be caught hold of by hand and swung in an arcuate path toward and from said exit opening, and means for releasably fastening the other end of said spindle in its normal dispensing position.

4. The structure defined in claim 3, and wherein said operating connection comprises linkage means confined and concealed in said chamber and associatively oriented and cooperable with the hinging means and lower end of said shaft, respectively.

5. A storage type holder and dispenser for a plurality of rolls of toilet tissues stacked one atop the other comprising: a tubular magazine embodying front, back and side walls cooperating and providing a storage chamber, said front wall being removable and having a closable entrance opening at an upper end portion to permit the user to insert several rolls of toilet tissues to temporarily load said chamber, said front wall having an exit opening at its bottom, roll guiding and discharging means in the bottom portion of said chamber for delivering the lowermost roll to and through said exit opening, a bearing sleeve fixed vertically on the interior of said front wall, a crankshaft having upper and lower arms, the shaft portion thereof being vertical and rotatable in said hearing sleeve and the crank arms being swingable in arcuate horizontal paths toward and from the interior surface of said front wall, a supporting spindle located on the exterior of said front wall and horizontally spanning said exit opening, said spindle adapted to removably support the roll of tissue which is being used, means hingedly mounting one end of said spindle on an interior of one side wall of said magazine, the other end of said spindle being free, swingable in a horizontal plane toward and from said front wall and having the secondary function of a manually controllable trip lever for said crankshaft,

means for releasably fastening said free end in its normal roll-holding position across said exit opening, and linkage means confined in said chamber and connected with said hinging means and crankshaft, respectively, whereby when said spindle is used as a trip lever, the linkage means comes into play to turn the crankshaft and crank arms simultaneously in oriented and coordinating relationship.

6. The structure according to claim 5, and wherein said linkage means comprises a first vertically disposed link having a lower portion thereof fixedly joined to the hinged end portion of said spindle, and a second complernental horizontal push-pull link having one end pivotally connected to the upper end of the first link and its other end pivotally connected to a coordinating lower end of the shaft portion of said crankshaft.

7. in a device of the class described, a crankshaft unit embodying a shaft portion provided at upper and lower ends with right angularly disposed crank arms, a roll holding and dispensing spindle having mounting and hinging means at one end, a first link having a lower end fixedly joined to said one end of said spindle, and a secand link at right angles to said first link and shaft portion of the crankshaft unit and having one end pivotally connected to the upper end of the first link and its other end pivotally connected to a coordinating lower end of the shaft portion of said crankshaft.

The device defined in claim '7, and wherein said crank arms are circumferentially spaced apart from each other and are each provided with a freely rotatable antifriction roll-contacting sleeve, said shaft portion being provided at a lower end with a right angled bend with which the adjacent end of said push-pull link is pivotally connected, and wherein the upper end of said first link has a right angled horizontally disposed bent portion with which said one end of said push-pull link is pivotally connected.

9. The structure according to claim 8, and wherein said hinging means embodies an anchoring hinge-leaf adapted to be anchored on a stationary wall of an associated magazine, and a bearing sleeve for said shaft portion, said sleeve provided with attaching and retaining flanges.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1959 Nehring 24-255.3 X

4/1964 Pena 24255.3 

7. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A CRANKSHAFT UNIT EMBODYING A SHAFT PORTION PROVIDED AT UPPER AND LOWER ENDS WITH RIGHT ANGULARLY DISPOSED CRANK ARMS, A ROLL HOLDING AND DISPENSING SPINDLE HAVING MOUNTING AND HINGING MEANS AT ONE END, A FIRST LINK HAVING A LOWER END FIXEDLY JOINED TO SAID ONE END OF SAID SPINDLE, AND A SECOND LINK AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID FIRST LINK AND SHAFT PORTION OF THE CRANKSHAFT UNIT AND HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER END OF THE FIRST LINK AND ITS OTHER END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO A COORDINATING LOWER END OF THE SHAFT PORTION OF SAID CRANKSHAFT. 